City to Sea: A Day at Fort Tilden

Hello Lovelies!

I am currently sitting on my couch, letting aloe gel soak into my crispy skin. I know... I'm really terrible about applying sunscreen. Considering the day I had yesterday, however, my lobster limbs are more than worth it.

10:30am Saturday morning found me rushing around Union square picking up snacks and supplies from Trader Joe's and the farmer's market. One such item was a bottle of Red Jacket Strawberry Apple Juice, which believe me, is as good as it sounds.

Like I said, it was Saturday, and seeing as how the MTA is the supreme kill-joy of all weekend plans, we had to transfer and take a bus to get to the beach. Below is our route (the 4 to Franklin, the 2 to Flatbush, then the Q35 the rest of the way). It took approximately 1.5 hours, so we arrived shortly after noon and pitched camp.  

I've never really been to a non-Florida beach, so I was unaccustomed to the idea of a beach without trees or shade of some sort. That's really my only complaint... well that, and the fact that we didn't realize this was a topless beach. Quite the initial shocker, let me tell you. Moving right along...

The weather was lovely, and this beach affords wonderful waves for boogie boarding. We (my coworkers and I) enjoyed a nice picnic lunch before packing up and walking west in search of the more interesting portion of the beach (and the whole reason I came). The majority of this peninsula is home to an assortment of abandoned houses and military bunkers see HERE for historical background. Oh and before I forget, here is your weekly music recommendation, as I listened to it on repeat on the way to and from the beach. 

For most of these, the sand was piled up high enough to where we had to crouch to climb in to the front doors, but it was well worth it, as you can see. The decay of the buildings with the addition of artwork from visitors past gave the place an eerie feel. It was beautiful, all the same, and I'm disappointed that this is the only abandoned site I've been able to (legally) access since I've moved to the city. Amid the broken glass and rusty nails were cans of food, a book, shreds of blankets. I don't know who lives here, but they've got a pretty sweet get-up living by the beach... 

Urban Adventures: Upper East Side

Hello Lovelies,

As promised, this is the second half of my weekend adventure. After traipsing through the Met for the majority of the afternoon, I had a spare three hours before the evening service at Church. I began walking east towards the water, and soon ran into what appeared to be a gated park. Upon further inspection however, it turned out to be The Rockefeller University. This was my approximate route:

Correction: I crossed over to the water on 71st, not 70th

Not only had I never heard of this school, I was under the impression that Columbia was the only school in the city that possessed a traditional campus. This one was beautiful (from what I could see from outside the gates), and I invite any suggestions for getting on campus just to have a look around. This is what I could see from outside. It looks like a palace of sorts...

I walked around several times before I realized there was no easy/non-camera-monitored entry way, save for scaling a fence, which I was fully prepared to do if I wasn't in a skirt. So again, if you know of any *legal* way to tour the campus, let me know!

Soul (food) searching in Harlem

I hope you all had as lovely an Independence day weekend as I did... 

After two weeks of spending time with family and friends, I am finally back in the city, and it feels wonderful (maybe not the heat, but certainly being back). 

This past week I had the privilege of seeing the city with fresh eyes thanks to the visit of a friend of mine. Since I never really visit the touristy parts of town while I'm here, it's nice to have an excuse ;). 

Thus, Saturday night found me in the heart of Harlem, right off of Malcolm X Boulevard. We went with one place in mind, Sylvia's Restaurant, which was highly recommended by people who should know.

125th street station tile art

So before I describe the experience, just imagine this playing in the background... because I'm cheesy like that and it's totally what was playing in my head as soon as I got above ground. 

Are you listening to it? Ok.... 

A Night of Culture: The New York Philharmonic

Hello Lovelies,

So what is the logical response when your coworker invites you to a night of free live classical music in the world's most famous park? To grab your wine, strawberries, nutella, and a picnic blanket, of course!

Observe: One of several that I had pre-concert in the middle of the Great Lawn.

The meadow, as you can imagine, was packed. But we managed to squeeze our blanket in close to the stage, right next to one of the barriers or "cattle pen" as one of my sassier coworkers called it. We spread out our blankets, unpacked our dinner, uncorked the wine, and enjoyed the sounds of tuning instruments.

China Through the Looking Glass: A Met Expedition

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope your day, wherever you are, isn't as dreary and depressing as it is here in New York. You would hardly believe it was June, what with the ominous gray clouds.

Summer in the city has provided me with abundant time to pursue every whim with which I wake up on the weekends. Yesterday I had one such ambition so I found myself on the 4/5 at noon, headed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, armed with my camera, and sketch book.

I had completely forgotten that the Met had their China Through the Looking Glass exhibit up. I had made  mental note to go sometime during the school year, but between finals and transitioning into my new job, it got put on the back burner. If you didn't already know, this is the exhibit that was introduced at this year's Met Gala, where Rihanna wore her show-stopping gown. I am VERY glad I got to go yesterday, because--let me tell you-- this exhibit is beyond description. I'm not one to frequent museums. Frankly, I rather spend my time outside and exploring on my own, but this.... Well you just need to see it for yourself. 

A striking first look had me instantly captivated. 

Eats Excursion: Artichoke Bastille's Pizza

G'day Y'all!

Boredom and cabin fever found me in the East Village last week to explore, but mostly to experience the wonder that is Artichoke Bastille's pizza.

Battery Park City Run

Hello from a 70 degrees and sunny NYC! Or at least what was... 

At the moment I am staring up at the ceiling of my summer apartment. I have fallen off the couch and have failed to get back up out of sheer, overwhelming laziness. After a grueling finals week, summer is F.I.N.A.L.L.Y. here, and I want to revel in every ounce of pure and well-earned lethargy. 

This is the view of the East River from my couch when one is sitting upright. I could spend all day just watching the boats go by... and one of these days I might... just because I can.

And then summer came.

Happy Summer lovelies!

I cannot believe I survived finals week.... The loss of hope and sanity is evident when half-way through the week you find yourself sitting on the floor watching vines at 3am, eating week-old mac-and-cheese, and laughing and crying at the same time. Totally not me... that was my roommate...  anywho....

I have found myself in yet another crazy situation, but this time it is over moving out of my lovely apartment that I've had for two years. It's going to be so hard to leave this place. I knew once I got it that any apartment I get in my post-grad life is essentially going to be a downgrade from this one... oh well. I'm sitting on my couch relaxing at the moment and finishing my roommate's pino grigio. Not quite a fan of white wines.. but this one isn't bad, and honestly, anything tastes good after cleaning the apartment all day. All the windows are open and there's a nice summer breeze coming in. I'm also entertaining the entire neighborhood with this song at the moment....

This is the first time I've had the chance to take a breather all semester and I am so thankful for it. Between five classes and 20+ hours a week at my internship (not to mention the hours I spent commuting), I have forgotten what just sitting with nothing to do feels like. There are 9 months worth of Strand purchases that I am looking forward to starting on. Also, I have the distinct honor this summer of creating another map quilt (see pic below) for two of my friends who are expecting their first baby. I am so excited that I will be in the city for her birth! For those of you wanting to know if I can make one of these for you... I'll be making them available on my Etsy shop soon! 

Yes, I am still alive....

Hello Readers! 

I have honestly missed you, this blog, and knowing that my thoughts and adventures are not lost somewhere in cyberspace, but are instead, hopefully, being enjoyed, albeit second-hand.

Well. 

Have I got some news for you. 

I don't know how many of you have been following this blog since its inception (i.e. Freshman year), but if you have been one of those lucky few (translation: I am so sorry), you will know that every year around this time, I do everything in my power to get a good job that allows me to stay in the city over the summer. Sadly, my attempts have failed..... until now. 

That's right!

My first summer in the city and you will have exclusive access to my adventures which will be numerous considering I will have all the time in the world to explore (when I'm not working, of course). 

I honestly cannot wait to experience New York City in the summer, seeing as how the only way I've really experienced it is 14 degrees and snowing (it's only just now starting to get into the 60's for all you who are wondering *Praise God from whom all blessings flow*).

I hope you are as excited as I am. If you aren't, chances are you are someone from back home who is thinking you won't be able to see me at all until Christmas. To that, I respond: Free couch and a tour of NYC. 

AAAAHHHHHH Someone pinch me because this has to be a dream! 

Catch ya later peeps.... 

-H